“A second date? Don’t you think it’s too fast?”

“Everything feels right with you Ananya. But no pressure. Think about it. If you want to say yes. Warna …”

He made a disappointed face and she chuckled.

“I’ll let you know.”

She teased and he smiled, nodding.

“I’ll see at office tomorrow then?”

“The date’s over? Don’t you think you’re forgetting something?”

She teased and he frowned. What did he forget?

“I’ve heard that dates usually end with a kiss Divesh.”

She teased and he went red. But he cleared his throat and teased back.

“I’ve also heard that kisses are usually saved till the third date. If we have a third date, you’ll get your kiss. Everything is on you now.”

He winked and she looked away trying to hide her blush.

“But filhal isse kaam chala lo.”

With that he cupped her face and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. She looked at her surprised and he caressed her cheek gazing at her with a soft smile.

“Good night! See you tomorrow.”

He said and she smiled. She entered her house still in a daze from the kiss. 

“You’re late!”

Advik quipped but was reprimanded by Chhaya.

“Shh! Advik! Chup rahiye aap. Look at how happy she looks.”

Ananya slumped beside Chhaya and whispered.

“He was just amazing bhabhi. He did not even touch me unnecessarily lekin uski aankhein itna kuch keh gyi ki aisa laga usne meri rooh tak chhu li ho. What is this feeling bhabhi?”

Advik sighed seeing his sister like this. He was happy that she was happy but he feared about the man’s intentions.

“Anu! You’re in love!”

Chhaya gushed in a whisper and Ananya sighed dreamily.

“I don’t know bhabhi. But you know what? He asked me for a second date. Lekin mujhe kuch samajh hi nhi aaya. I said I’ll tell him later. Sab kuch bhut jaldi nhi hai kya bhabhi?”

Now Advik decided to jump in and take over. He sat before Ananya and held her hands.

“Jaldi nhi hai when you know he is the right person. Lekin hum uske baare mai kuch nhi jaante Ananya. We don’t know what his intentions are towards you. And aaj ke iss modern love and cheating trend ke time pr I can’t trust anyone with you and neither should you. Banda right hai toh sab achha lagta hai but ek wrong insaan and everything goes downhill.”

Ananya nodded, understanding her brother’s concern. She too was confused about the same thing.

“And achha hai tune abhi second date ke liye haan nhi kia. Before you agree for a second date, call him home. Bolo family se mile. Approval le. And phir kro date.”

“Mummy papa bhi?”

Ananya asked wide eyed, knowing she had lied to both of them as well.

“Haan Ananya! Aur agar wo mana krta hai ya baat taalne ki koshish krta hai toh you know what kind of a man he is.”

Advik was right. So the next day, Ananya decided to talk to Divesh after work and tell him the same.

The whole day she and Divesh exchange flirty grins and smiles. Although, a part of feared that he’d back out once she tells him that needed to meet her parents.

“Hey Ananya?”

Divesh caught up with her when she was in the company parking.

“Hey!”

“Answer nhi dia tumne? Can I get a second date?”

She smiled and took a step closer to him.

“You will. But on one condition.”

“What condition?”

He asked seriously.

“My brother wants you to come home. Before we have our second date.”

“Ok.”

Ananya looked at him shocked now. She did not expect him to agree in a second. Maybe at least think for a moment and then hesitate while agreeing but definitely not this.

“Ok? Just like that? You know you're going to be grilled right? Meri mumma papa bhi honge.”

Divesh smiled and said.

“Haan and that's even better na. I'll answer all their questions beforehand. Baadme jyada mehnat nhi krni padegi.”

“But don't you think it's too soon. I mean meeting families and all.”

She tried to see if he changed his answer but his words surprised her instead.

“Ananya! I don't just want to date you. I have plans of making a family with you someday. I want you to be a part of my family and I want to be a part of yours. And uske liye family se toh milna padega na.”

Ananya was at a loss of words. But he continued and his next words were even more shocking.

“Plus, the quicker I get your family's approval, the earlier I'll be able to take you home and make you meet my family. They're going crazy to meet you by the way.”

“Meet me? Your family know about me?”

She asked with shock evident in her voice.

“From day one. And they're after my life to bring you home to meet them. Only I know kaise roka hua hai unhe.”

He said with a chuckle remembering his parents' excitement.

“And exactly who all are there in your family?”

Maybe he was talking about a sibling. Just like she told her Chhaya bhabhi.

“Mumma, papa, dadi, dadu and my younger sister. All of them.”

“They all know about me?”

“Yeah! They know about you, about our date and about my feelings for you.”

She didn't know what to think anymore.

“I-this is just too much for me to process.”

“Hey! Relax! Don't think much. Let's just go with the flow, ok? Friday's an off for Guru Nanak Jayanti. Let's do one thing. I'll come home for dinner. Or lunch whatever your family is ok with. And we'll see the rest from there. Abhi don’t think much. Go home and have a good sleep.”

He said and placed a soft kiss on her head. 

Telling Divesh about the family meeting didn't go as imagined. She had imagined him to run at the first instance. But what she was actually scared about now was her parents reaction on knowing the truth.